Chelsea make Mudryk feelings clear after Palmer decision

Cole Palmer has been awarded the No. 10 shirt at Chelsea, replacing Mykhailo Mudryk, who has been suspended since December after testing positive for meldonium.

Palmer, who previously wore No. 20 since joining from Manchester City in September 2023, will debut his new number at the Club World Cup against Los Angeles FC on June 16. 

Mudryk, 24, has not played for Chelsea since his last appearance in a Conference League match on November 28, where he scored in a victory against Heidenheim. 

Additionally, new signing Liam Delap has been assigned the No. 9 jersey following his £30 million transfer from Ipswich Town. 

He signed a six-year deal, filling a position that has been vacant since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure to Marseille in the summer of 2023. 

Chelsea will finalise the complete squad numbers for the 2025-26 season after the summer transfer window concludes.

Apart from LAFC, Enzo Maresca’s team will face Flamengo on June 20 and ES Tunis five days later.